Paley & Francis

With both of these artists, it usually takes me a little while to get into the album. Being a fan of both, I anticipated the release for several months with high expectations. On first listen, I didn't like it much, but after several listens, it's really grown on me--not a bad track on the disc. Each sings on alternating tracks with the other providing backing vocals. Paley has his usual uplifting demotivational offering in "Ugly Life." Black Francis has his share of quirky, well-crafted songs. "Seal" and the opener, "Curse," stand out as well as "Crescent Moon." Paley's grittiness and Francis's melodies provide a nice contrast to each other, so the two blend well on one disc. The piano work is really nice. If you're a fan of either or both of the artists, the CD is well-worth the cash.

I was more of a Black Francis fan than a Reid Paley fan when I heard that this album was being made, but I absolutely loved the Frank Black and the Catholics cover of "Take What You Want" so I became interested in Paley's work and bought a couple of his albums. I wasn't completely won over right away, it was hard for me to get past Reid Paley's voice but it soon grew on me and by the time I purchased this album I could dig Reid Paley pretty well (not as much as my beloved Black Francis, but few compare to him in my eyes so that is to be expected). That being said, I loved this album almost instantly, I had waited months for its release and purchased it for download as soon as it became available on amazon (the day after the release date) and it did not disappoint me. The song that stands out to me the most is "On the Corner", which Reid Paley sings, no one else has mentioned it in their reviews and I can't see why, its an amazing track. I have heard that this entire album was written in two days and recorded in another two, making it an album that only took 4 days to complete, not sure if that is true but if it is that's quite an amazing feat because this is an incredible album. Certainly worth a listen, and if you can't get into it the first time listen to it a few more, it will grow on you.

Black Francis, Frank Black or Pixies ? I can choose any of the alternatives and you will be happy, very good